CHAPTER ELEVEN
CODIE
I knew Stray was following me before I turned around. I’d come to know his presence, that feeling I got when he was near. He’d been hanging around my place on and off all week, making sure I noticed him. Then he would mysteriously disappear until the next time.
To my utter relief, he didn’t speak to me on campus again after that little incident in the men’s room. He left me alone. Aside from the times I would see him outside my building or following me through traffic.
Saturday had rolled around. Tonight was the graveyard party thrown by Stray and his friends. Athena and I were out of a few things, so I’d popped over to the local grocery store to grab them before getting ready for the party later tonight.
I wandered up and down the aisles in sweatpants and a tank top, my hair in a messy bun. Definitely not the look I would be rocking later tonight. Pausing to scrutinize the details of a sale item, I felt him. What did he possibly have to gain by following me to the grocery store?
At first, I decided not to acknowledge him in any way.
That’s what he wanted after all. I continued to amble along, grabbing a package of whole wheat bagels, and dropping them into the basket I carried.
From there, I rounded the corner and headed for the produce section. Still, I felt him following.
I added the blueberries Athena had requested to the basket before continuing on to the stack of long English cucumbers. Picking up an especially thick one, I whirled around, holding it like a weapon.
“Why are you following me through the grocery store? Is this really necessary?” Keeping my voice down so other shoppers wouldn’t overhear, I pinned Stray with a deadly glare.
He took one look at my makeshift weapon and burst out laughing. “Are you going to beat me with that thing? I suppose it’s resourceful. Not sure how effective it would be though.”
With a sigh, I dropped the cucumber into my basket. “Why won’t you leave me alone? Why won’t you just go away?”
He followed along beside me as I went for the apples. “Are you coming to the party tonight?”
Annoyed that he avoided my questions, I said, “I’m not sure yet. Will you be there? I think I’ve had about enough of you for one week.”
My snippy response seemed to have no effect on him. Stray eyed the contents of my basket. “Wow. A lot of healthy stuff in there. You eat better than most college students.”
“Yeah, well, I try to make an effort. Athena orders takeout every weekend. I indulge every now and then.” I didn’t know why I was telling him this. Our shopping list was none of his business.
Stray chuckled, a devious sound. “I’ve noticed. Your indulgences have definitely caught my interest.”
I turned away before he could see my cheeks pinken.
I hated how he managed to get a reaction from me with very little effort.
His mere presence affected me. For just a moment, I flashed back to the restroom.
To being on my knees for him while he held a knife to my throat.
My thighs clenched, a warm tingle rushing to my core.
Doing my best to ignore him, I grabbed the rest of the things on the list and headed for the checkout. Stray matched my pace, following me every step of the way. When the cashier finished ringing up my items, Stray pushed me aside, tossing down a credit card.
I wanted to protest. To tell him that I didn’t need him to buy things for me.
I had my own money. Most of it came from savings from a part-time job I’d had in high school, as well as some money my parents had set aside for me.
Some of it was from a student loan. A lot of people thought I was a spoiled rich kid.
Not even close. Anything my parents gave me came with conditions.
My grades had to remain stellar for one.
After stuffing the receipt into one of the bags, Stray scooped them up with both hands and marched toward the exit. I had no choice but to follow.
“What exactly are you trying to pull here?” I snapped when we were outside. “I don’t need you buying me things. I’m capable of buying my own groceries.”
“I’m sure you are. I’m also capable of buying you groceries. It’s only a few bags. What’s the big deal?” He rolled his eyes like I was being completely ridiculous.
“What’s the big deal?” I repeated. “The big deal is that you are not my boyfriend. I do not want or need your money.”
Stray carried my things right to my SUV, nodding for me to unlock the doors. “I’m just being nice, Codie. You don’t have to be so nasty about it. If you’re that offended, I can find a way for you to pay me back. Don’t you worry about that.”
Now I definitely was worried about that. I could only imagine what Stray would come up with to even the score.
A stubborn part of me wanted to demand that he take the groceries back and get a refund.
I needed to create a boundary here. I knew it was futile.
He would never do it. So instead, I unlocked the car and waited for him to drop the bags in the back seat.
Without another word to him, I got in and drove away.
Why would he do something nice after holding a knife to my throat and forcing me to suck him off?
What kind of a mind fuck was he trying to pull on me here?
The guy was blackmailing me. He wasn’t a nice person.
How could he be? He made his money by selling organs on the black market.
Someone’s kidney had probably bought my groceries. The very thought made me sick.
I didn’t say a word to Athena about Stray being at the grocery store. She ordered a pizza because neither of us felt like cooking. She then put on some loud music and had her own little dance party while getting ready to go out.
No part of me wanted to go to this graveyard party anymore. The thought of seeing Stray again so soon made me angry. It also filled me with a sick anticipation. This was already getting out of hand. I needed to find a way to put a stop to this whole screwed up situation.
Anger drove me as I did my hair and makeup. Soft curls that fell down my back along with perfect eyeliner and pale pink lips. After eyeing every single item in my closet several times, I pulled out a short leather skirt. It went perfectly with my black sleeveless one strap top and knee-high boots.
I looked damn good and I knew it. My outfit had been chosen with only one goal in mind. To drive Stray a little crazy from afar. I had no intention of speaking to him tonight. As far as I was concerned, he didn’t exist.
As soon as Athena saw my outfit, she laughed. “Trying to send a certain someone a message, huh?”
I saw no point in denying it. “Maybe. He can see what he’s missing.”
“Brutal. He’ll be sorry he messed with you. Do these shoes look okay with this outfit or should I wear the beige pair instead?” Athena held up a beige pair of kitten heels. She wore a pair of dressy pinstriped pants with a white blouse and black heels.
“I like the black. It’s more commanding.”
It was after ten when our Uber dropped us off at the graveyard.
Dozens of people were already there. My stomach clenched tight, the pizza I’d eaten turning uneasily.
Even though I’d seen Stray only hours ago, knowing he would be here set loose a thousand butterflies in my stomach. What I needed now was alcohol.
The graveyard was a popular party place. An abandoned church filled with battered pews took up part of the property. The rest of it was an old forgotten graveyard with crumbling headstones that backed onto a forest. Wintervale’s forgotten church had become the Graveyard Kings’ domain.
Shortly before classes let out for summer, River Harris was found dead in the forest here. He’d been the leader of Venom, the criminals for hire who ran the warehouse raves. Venom and the Graveyard Kings were no strangers to conflict.
River had made the mistake of messing with Storm.
I think we all knew that Rebel had killed him.
There had been no proof tying him to the crime, and anyone who knew a damn thing wasn’t talking.
We’d all moved on like it hadn’t happened, although I suspected the remaining members of Venom had not forgotten.
I glanced toward the forest, feeling creeped out as I wondered if River’s ghost lurked here. Athena took my hand and pulled me along in search of our friends, chasing the eerie thought away.
It didn’t take long for us to find the girls and get drinks in our hands. I sucked down half my vodka and Sprite, needing to chase away the butterflies and set my mind at ease. Drinking and laughing with my girls helped to forget about Stray.
Until I saw him.
He stood outside the church with Rebel and Casper.
He wore the same jeans and T-shirt from earlier.
His hair shoved back like he’d been running his hands through it.
That wasn’t what captivated me though. It was the genuine smile on his face as he laughed with his friends.
The way it changed his entire expression and made his eyes light up.
Even though I knew I was staring, I couldn’t drag my gaze away. I regretted that when he turned my way, our eyes locking. There was a moment of sheer intensity. The sound of the party faded away. All I saw was Stray.
The way he made me feel with a mere look was almost enough to make me weep in frustration. I hated the way I wanted him. I hated that I couldn’t make it stop.
But what I hated most of all was the way he tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing before he dismissed me entirely. With a lazy half shrug, he turned his back to me, giving his full attention to his friends.
What the hell just happened? There’s no way he did that. To me?
Fine. Two could play that game. Swallowing down the bitterness that swelled inside me, I sipped from my drink and laughed along as Ripley told us a story about a ridiculous customer she had to deal with at work. She was a server at a local restaurant.
Eventually Rebel lured Storm away. She excused herself with a giggle before bounding into her fiancé’s arms. Athena was the next to disappear after spotting a football player she’d had her eye on.
I continue to sneak glances in Stray’s direction. He’d moved around the party, mingling with various groups. More than one girl had approached him. That’s when I forced myself to look away. No way in hell would I let him think I was jealous.
When Luna and Ripley snuck off to find a private place in the forest to pee, I found myself alone.
I took a seat on a bench beneath an overhanging tree.
It wasn’t long before one of the football players approached me.
Like most of them, he wore a jacket with the team’s logo on the back.
That kind of thing didn’t impress me. However, tonight I would make it work.
I felt Stray’s gaze upon me as the football player helped himself to the free space next to me. Despite his efforts to convince me that he didn’t give a damn, he sure noticed fast when someone else showed an interest in me.
“Hey, Codie, you’re looking good tonight. What are you drinking? Can I get you another?” Danny was a relatively nice guy. We’d spoken here and there at parties and the occasional football game when Athena dragged me along. Other than an occasional flirtation, I didn’t know him all that well.
“Thank you.” I flashed him a coy smile, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. “I’m good, thanks. Just waiting for Luna and Ripley. How’ve you been?”
Even though I didn’t care all that much for small talk, I was exceptionally good at faking my way through it.
Saying the right things, smiling in the right places.
Making people feel like what they said mattered.
Danny had no problem talking about the upcoming football season and his goals for the team.
“I hope to see you at some of the games,” Danny said, sliding closer on the bench. “Maybe you can be my good luck charm.”
I had absolutely no interest in being anyone’s good luck charm. Danny was a perfectly nice guy. With his short blonde hair and broad football player build, he was perfect for girls who loved jocks. Unfortunately, my tastes tended to veer darker.
“I’m not sure I would be much luck, but I’ll try to make it to a game or two this season. I’m sure you guys will do great.” I glanced past Danny to where Stray stood several yards away with Dominik. To my utter delight, Stray clenched his hands into fists, his jaw tight with anger.
Just to pour a little fuel on the fire, I laughed at the next silly thing Danny said, touching his arm.
He took that to mean more than it did and caught my hand in his.
Maybe it wasn’t fair to use him like this.
We all knew anything that happened at these parties didn’t mean much in the light of day.
Right? Regardless, I needed to stop. I searched the party for any sign of my friends. I needed an escape.
Like anyone else at this party, Danny was looking for a fun night. He made that abundantly clear when he pushed the hair back from my face and leaned in to kiss me. He never got the chance.
Stray was suddenly there, grabbing him by the back of his jacket, jerking him hard off the bench and onto the ground. “You and me, asshole. Right here. Right now.”